Janis Gast L’Estrange

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Janis Lynn (Gast) L’Estrange, 76, passed away March 9, 2013 at her home in Grass Valley, CA from complications of a 42-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Jan was born November 22, 1936, in Los Angeles, CA to Harry Howard and Matilda Thelma Adams Gast.

She graduated from University High School in 1954, and also attended San Jose State University. She married Jerry L’Estrange on June 29, 1957, at St. Timothy’s Church in West Los Angeles, CA. The couple have been happily married for 56 years.

The L’Estrange’s moved from Los Angeles to Connecticut in 1970, where for many years Jan was active in the Catholic church and also cared for foster children. She was a full-time homemaker and mother to six active children.

In 1990, the L’Estrange’s retired and moved to Grass Valley, where they have resided for the past 23 years.

In retirement, Jan spent much of her time doing crafts such as sewing, knitting, and becoming an expert porcelain doll maker. She was a long-time member of the Craft Guild of Nevada County and also volunteered for Welcome Wagon.

Jan was also a passionate Shit-zu owner and lover, raising 7 dogs over the years.

Her family wrote: “Even through the years of such a debilitating disease, Jan retained her spark and her humor and always found time for her passions and her family. Her strength, resilience, and energy are models to look up to, and those are just some of the many fond things we will remember and hold dear.”

She is survived by her husband Jerry; and six children: son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Jesica of Auburn, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Mark Gadbois of Brentwood CA; daughter Ann of Oakland, CA; son Michael of Sacramento CA; daughter Kathleen Rosemond of Hartford, CT.; and daughter Julie L’Estrange and son-in-law Michael Oliver of Portland, OR. Nine grandchildren also survive her: Mindy, Ashley, Tom, Alex, Kyle, Liam, Sean, Olivia, and Emerson.